Wiz Khalifa And Soulja Boy Try To Top Drake’s “Started From The Bottom” Single

There was no way Drake could hold back the release of his latest single “Started From The Bottom.” But after the Octoboer’s Very Own rapper released the song to his website on Friday (February 1), two weeks earlier than planned, Wiz Khalifa and Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em quickly fashioned remixes of their very own.

Khalifa dropped his remix the following day, keeping Drake’s verses on the song and adding his own smoked-out rhymes to the track. [Check out Khalifa’s version here]

“I know that song just came out lol but I think it speaks to all of us, so I put my verse on it before everyone else does:-),” he tweeted on Saturday (February 2), a day after Drake dropped his song.

Soulja Boy jumped on the track shortly thereafter, swapping Drake’s verses with one of his own and twisting his version into a brag fest about “millions” and “stacks.” [Listen to Soulja Boy’s version here]

Drake originally planned to let the “Bottom” out on GRAMMY night, where he received three nominations. But on Friday, he relieved fans of the wait and hackers of the effort and scheming to snatch it early.

“It has truly been too long,” Drake wrote on his Octobersveryown blog. “…Today is the day to begin sharing my newest work with you. This is the first single off of my upcoming album. I feel sometimes that people don’t have enough information about my beginnings and therefore they make up a life story for me that isn’t consistent with actual events… I did not buy my way into this spot and it was the furthest thing from easy to achieve. I am proud of every part of my past and I’m excited for this song to find a place in your life as well.”

He went on to explain why he decided to release the song on his own site as opposed to radio outlets.

“I didn’t feel I needed any interviews or radio or press to launch this song,” he wrote. “It felt right to come back to the site that I started on and release it to the people that started here with me. Judging by this post, the tour that we’ve been planning, the conversations about new songs and album artwork…I think it’s safe to say we’re back together again. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.”

At times crude and raw, “Started From The Bottom” is a departure from the usual swag rap and heavy melody that has distinguished Drake from his peers.

“Started from the bottom, now we here/ Started from the bottom now my who f—in’ team is here,” Drake raps on the chorus, which he repeats throughout. He later proclaims that “just a reminder to myself, I wear every single chain even when I’m in the house.”[Listen to “Started From The Bottom” here]

It’s a come-up track ripe for remixing and primed for a Drake long player comeback. For fans expecting a bigger sound or bolder statement for Drake’s return, there’s still GRAMMY night. Drake is nominated for Best Rap Performance for “HYFR (Hell Ya F—ing Right),” Best Album for Take Care, and Best Rap Song for “The Motto.” For now, “Started From The Bottom” and the remixes that are sure to follow will have to do.

See who wins what at the 55th GRAMMY Awards on February 10 (8/7 c) on CBS. —Erik Parker, CBS Local